RUGBY FOOTBALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 13

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

AUCKLAND A WIN. DEPEAT OF WANGANUI. SIXTEEN POINTS TO THREE. In a game that was never brilliant, the Auckland A representatives beat the Wanganui touring side at Eden Park on Saturday afternoon by 10 points to 3. The Auckland fifteen showed improvement on last week's form, but there was hardly enough back pkv to thrill the crowd. The game had not been going two minutes before a short kick by Jenkin took Auckland to the blues' twentvfive, but off-side play pulled them up and Fulton found the line near halfway. The locals pressed home an attack on the far flank and passing looked promising till Berridge dropped the ball. Barclay picked up and threw out to Minns, who failed to handle, and shortly afterwards Jenkin kicked too hard, Wanganui forcing. Tigering hard, the visiting pack came downfield and McLean had a shot, which was a long wav short. For five minutes Wanganui hammered away just outside Auckland's twenty-five, Oxley and Mcßae being prominent. Then the blue forwards gave tho ball to their backs and it went along the line with crisp passing to Hall, who put in a good dash before Paewai upended him a few yards from his objective. There was some torrid work almost on the line and then McLean was only a little short in a good effort at goal. Stewart marked nippily i n front of the Auckland goal, but missed an easy chance. A long kick by Paewai let the locals out and Minns attempted to centre. The ball went over the line and the visitors forced. Oxley shone out in tight work and Wall put in a good run, but his pass went forward— • lucky escape for Auckland.

Stewart's kick-off for the second quarter saw Auckland forced. There was a scrum just outside the hlue and whites' twenty-five and Pine and Oxlev hooked cleanly. Wall flashed it out *o * m «d« » dodgy run almost to the line, only to nullify by a forward -A penalty came as a welcome rei to the home side, but the Wanganui forwards were back again almost immediately, to give the ball to Wall, who was thrown out near the corner flag. Leahy jumped for possession from the line-out, but dropped the ball and Auckland forced. There was a period of tight play at midfield and then McLean made a fine but unsuccessful attempt from a E O, « th ® height o* » lot Wanganui attack Harrington *marked in front of the «oal but was wide with his shot. iSSii 5* ralUed Md ca »® downe,d. McManus got the ball from the acrum and gave to Jenkin, who beat his nan before transferring to Stoupe, who was unable to gather in the pass Wanganui clearing. A dandy line kick by Berridge brought the game back to the blues' twenty-five, where a scrum was ordered. McManus secured whipped out to his supports. The machine worked beautifully, each cos turning smoothly, and the ball went out to Minns on the far wing, who capped the best movement of the game to date by sprinting and using his reach to place the ball over the line at the corner nag as Fulton grabbed him. Berridm missed the shot. Half-time came shortly afterwards. Auckland 3 Wanganui q Auckland Go Ahead. Early in the second half, Berridge astounded the crowd by attempting a shot from a penalty wide out at ten yards beyond half-way. It fell well short. A movement by the visiting backs and a stab kick by Wakeling had Auckland in difficulties, but the locals soon turned the tables. Commencing from their own twenty-five, the Auckland rearguard opened out. Berridge manoeuvred cleverly and otoupe took his pass at top, making a goal thirty yards before throwing in -field for Anderson to take the pass and run over between the posts. Berridge goaled. , Auckland g Wanganui q The visitors woke up at this reverse ■nd instituted a series of strong attacks Their pack held the locals well in their twenty-five and McLean tried unsuccessfully at goal. A miss-kick by Harrington let Auckland out and Stoupe carried the game to the far corner. Here a moment later he dashed through the blues to score a determined try. Berridge missed. Auckland jj Wanganui * 0 Linton shone in k strong follow up but brought an infringement for attempted tripping. Keeping the ball at their feet, the Wanganui pack came down in full cry to Auckland territory, McManus sending them back. Jenkin opened out an attack from the far side, beating two men before sending, on to Linton. The latter transferred to berridge and the Ponsonby five-eighth dashed over to score and convert his try. Auckland jj Wanganui 0 Leahy opened the final spell with a good, ineffective shot from half-way. Helped by the strong breeze and kicking high, Wanganui pressed and Stoupe forced. Stiver punted too hard, the ball going into touch in goal. For illegal scrum tactics Auckland were penalised in front of the posts, but Leahy's kick went wide. Stoupe picked up brilliantly from the toes of the blue forwards and cleared a dangerous rush, but the Wanganui pack were not to be denied. They swept back and by fast following McLean scored, after what appeared to be a palpable knock-on. Leahy missed. Auckland , Wanganui j Another half-way shot of Leahy's failed, as did a second one closer in. Play degenerated into a ragged forward scramble, with over-much whistle and further fruitless shots, and the game ended without further score. 1 Auckland 16 ' Wanganui 3 Mr. Sheppard was referee.